Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

—Written by Brad Berreman
—Edited by Marc Caviglia
—Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

Thankfully for fantasy football owners, Week 9 is the second to last week with bye weeks on the NFL schedule. Setting lineups and finding suitable starting options does get slightly easier now, with only four teams having the week off this upcoming week.

Injuries continue to further thin fantasy football rosters and empty waiver wires, making it doubly tough for owners. If you find your roster a little thin and need fill holes in your lineup, do check out the Week 9 edition of our Bruno Boys Fantasy Football “Pick Them Ups.”

Quick Note: Not all players that had strong Week 8 outings are on this list, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have value. If you have any questions about free agents not discussed in this article, head over to the forums and we’ll help you with the answers.

Quarterbacks-Pick Them Up

Christian Ponder (Minnesota Vikings

Ponder showed improvement in his second NFL start, as he went 18-for-28 for 236 yards and a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. He has a provided a spark the Vikings’ offense lacked previously, and the entire team appears energized by his presence. The Vikings have a bye in Week 9, then will face the Green Bay Packers in Week 10 followed by a couple of favorable looking matchups against the Oakland Raiders (Week 11) and the Atlanta Falcons (Week 12). Fantasy football owners can expect some growing pains from the rookie, but Ponder clearly has shown he belongs and his mobility enhances his fantasy potential. Those that are in leagues where you have to start two quarterbacks should absolutely add him immediately. Ponder is available in 80 percent of Fleaflicker leagues right now.

Consider Adding In: 12-Team and 14-Team Leagues

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Tarvaris Jackson (Seattle Seahawks)

Jackson returned from a pectoral injury on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals and went 21-for-40 for 323 yards with an interception in the game. He has now topped 300 passing yards in two of his past three games, and Week 9 brings a favorable matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys enter Week 9 having allowed multiple passing touchdowns in five of seven games, and Seattle may have to throw the ball frequently to keep pace with the Dallas offense. Fantasy owners are right to be skeptical of Jackson, but those in deep leagues can find him to be a serviceable QB2 for Week 9 and perhaps beyond.

Consider Adding In: 12-Team and 14-team Leagues, particularly two quarterback leagues

Carson Palmer (Oakland Raiders)

Palmer clearly looked like he had not played all season in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, as he threw three interceptions despite not playing a full game. The Raiders bye week may have come at a perfect time, as he and his receivers were able to get extra work in and get familiar with each other ahead of Week 9’s game against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have allowed 14 passing touchdowns in their seven games this season, and at least 250 passing yards in five of seven contests. So the opportunity is there for Palmer to produce in a very favorable matchup, and perhaps show flashes of his previous form. Fantasy owners in deep leagues that need a bye week fill-in or a suitable QB2 in two quarterback leagues should add him as a one-week play for Week 9.

Consider Adding In: 12-Team and 14-team Leagues

Quarterbacks Watch List: Matt Moore (Miami Dolphins), Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers), John Skelton (Arizona Cardinals), A.J. Feeley (St. Louis Rams)